ticketsMember | Make a donation

Lapa (喇叭 )

19th century
Not on view
Like many other instruments, the straight trumpet was introduced into China from Central and West Asia during the Eastern Han dynasty (A.D. 25-220). Originally used with drums and loud wind instruments in state processions and military events, this type of trumpet served a number of purposes during the nineteenth century. It was played in pairs by soldiers, blown by firefighters when they had finished putting out a fire, and sounded at funerals and at the end of some theatrical performances. Itinerant knife grinders and peddlers used a smaller version. The laba exists in a variety of sizes, and like many Asian trumpets, it has a wide, shallow mouthpiece and is collapsible.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Lapa (喇叭 )
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
  • Date: 19th century
  • Geography: China
  • Culture: Chinese
  • Medium: Metal
  • Dimensions: Height: 37 in. (94 cm)
    Diameter (Of bell): 5 in. (12.7 cm)
  • Classification: Aerophone-Lip Vibrated-trumpet / trombone
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.22
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Dung-Chen
1368–1644
Śankh
19th century
Da Tongjiao (Trumpet)
late 19th century
Lapa (Trumpet)
late 19th century
Zhajiao (Trumpet)
mid 19th–late 19th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback